Police said that the site has been closed to all visitors, both Arabs and Jews, but that Muslim worshippers will be allowed in.

Jewish extremists recently posted calls to hold provocations at the Temple Mount on various websites. Muslim clerics said in response they will not be dragged into clashes and threatened to hold riots of their own. Police then decided not to take any chances and bar prayers at the site.

Jewish worshippers outside Temple Mount

Yehuda Glick, chairman of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, expressed his deep disappointment with the decision to restrict access to the site, claiming that the police had promised to keep the Temple Mount open for Tisha B'Av.

"As far as we're concerned this is a slap in the face after we did everything in our power to work in coordination with the police and follow guidelines," he said.

"I am not aware of any attempt for provocation, I personally know all the Jews (involved) and no one had any intention of doing such a thing, especially on Tisha B'Av."